Mercedes-Benz Vans: the new Vito with new engines and an electric drive system plus the new Sprinter LGT

The new Vito E-CELL: emission-free and quiet with an electric drive system

The new Vito: more efficient, effective and cleaner than ever

The new Viano: setting standards in comfort

Sprinter LGT: additional new types of drive system featuring LPG

Vario: this resilient classic goes from strength to strength

The new Vito E-CELL completes the wide range of environmentally friendly vans from Mercedes-Benz. Examples of the now virtually perfected drive system based on the internal combustion engine include the new Mercedes-Benz Vito, the latest Sprinter and the large-capacity Vario van featuring BlueTEC technology. The new Sprinter LGT running on liquefied petroleum gas adds an exceptionally economical drive system to this successful van series.

The Vito E-CELL: emission-free and quiet with an electric drive system

By being the first automotive manufacturer to produce battery-electric powered vans ex factory, Mercedes-Benz is opening a new chapter in drive technology for lightweight commercial vehicles. Thanks to its emission-free drive system, the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is ideal for urban use and for highly environmentally sensitive areas. The Vito E-CELL is launching with a small series of 100 vehicles on which production has already begun. A further 2000 units are planned from 2011.

Providing a range of approximately 130 km, the Vito E-CELL meets typical customer requirements for vans making frequent short journeys. There is no limit on using the available load space. With a payload of some 900 kg, the Vito E-CELL really is a fully functioning van.

Powerful electric engine for high performance

Instead of an internal combustion engine, under the bonnet there is an electric motor and the associated peripherals. The motor has a continuous output of 60 kW and a maximum output of 70 kW. The maximum torque is 280 Nm. Because all torque is available instantaneously with electric motors, the Vito E-CELL offers dynamic performance. Given its applications and range, the Vito E-CELL’s top speed is limited to 80 km/h.

Lithium-ion batteries featuring high capacity for vehicle operation

The batteries housed under the load compartment floor are powerful lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 36 kWh, which are capable of withstanding heavy loads and are charged at charging stations. Depending on the charge level, charging will take a maximum of six hours with a 380/400 V power supply.

Incorporating intelligent charging technology was integral to the design of the Vito E-CELL. Charging times are determined based on the application. Within this period, charging generally takes place using green energy at times when a low-cost electricity tariff applies. The batteries are also charged while driving through regenerative braking, i.e. by converting braking power into electricity.

The Vito E-CELL is made on the same assembly line as other Vitos

Mercedes-Benz manufactures the Vito E-CELL at the Vitoria plant on the same assembly lines as for all other Vito models. This is further proof that the Vito E-CELL is not an experimental vehicle or prototype, but a van on its way to entering series production.

The new Vito: more efficient, effective and cleaner than ever

A new, highly efficient drive system featuring BlueEFFICIENCY technology, increased payload, a new chassis, less interior noise and an enhanced cockpit are the hallmarks of the new Mercedes-Benz Vito. CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are down by up to 15%, a record level compared to previous models.

The reasons for this are new, state-of-the-art four-cylinder turbodiesel engines with a displacement of 2.15 litres. They deliver 70 kW (95 hp) on the Vito 110 CDI, 100 kW (136 hp) on the Vito 113 CDI and 120 kW (163 hp) on the Vito 116 CDI. In addition to low fuel consumption, the engines feature a high level of refinement thanks to balancer shafts. The upgraded V6 CDI in the Vito 122 CDI meets exceptional demands on performance, now with an output of 165 kW (224 hp), while the Vito 126 has a V6 petrol engine (190 kW (258 hp)).

The favourable fuel consumption and associated low level of CO2 emissions stems from the new six-speed manual transmission for the four-cylinder version. Due to a wide ratio spread there is more traction in lower gears for lower engine speeds in the interests of fuel economy and less noise in the higher switching stages.

One of the highlights of the next-generation Vito is optional BlueEFFICIENCY technology. This innovative and, for vans, unique package includes on-demand auxiliary units, an ECO start/stop function and tyres whose rolling resistance has been optimised.

Rugged and reliable: increased payload and a reengineered chassis

Strong bumpers epitomise the Mercedes-Benz Vito’s character as a rugged, practical van. The Vito is the ideal van for tough everyday deployment, which is underlined by the significantly increased payload and new chassis (model-dependent). Both the front and rear axles have been thoroughly reengineered.

Comfort enhanced, noise level reduced considerably

The comfort factor is far from lacking on the Mercedes-Benz Vito. For example, the next-generation interior features simplified operation and a new colour concept. The interior is now much more impactful and at the same time the noise level is considerably lower.

In terms of looks, the next generation of van has new headlamps and modified bumpers. The Vito CREW and Vito SHUTTLE are new special Vito crewbus models, with the Vito CREW designed to meet requirements in tough deployment scenarios such as the construction industry. Meanwhile, the Vito SHUTTLE is tailored to demanding customers seeking a rugged yet comfortable van for use as a shuttle vehicle, etc.

Mercedes-Benz has put together attractively priced packages of optional extras to help customers choose and create their ideal Vito. These packages are called LIGHT&SIGHT, SAFETY, SECURITY and COMFORT.

The new Viano: setting standards in comfort

The next-generation of the Mercedes-Benz Viano large-capacity vehicle also has a new look. Mercedes-Benz is raising the bar in terms of comfort, materials and efficiency to a new height. A high-quality interior, significantly reduced noise level and comfort suspension accentuate the Viano’s premium character.

The new drive system with diesel and petrol engines generating between 100 kW (136 hp) and 190 kW (258 hp) and an equally new six-speed manual transmission in conjunction with the four-cylinder engines comes with unique BlueEFFICIENCY technology as standard. This includes on-demand auxiliary units, an ECO start/stop function and tyres whose rolling resistance has been optimised. As a result, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are down by up to 15% – a record in this vehicle class.

With headlamps styled on the current passenger car models, new bumpers and new tail lights, the Mercedes-Benz Viano is positioned as a distinctive model series for discerning buyers when it comes to the exterior too.

Sprinter LGT: additional new types of drive system featuring LPG

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has earned the right to give its name to an entire vehicle class thanks to a host of outstanding characteristics: the range of variants, safe and comfortable chassis, spacious and well-equipped cab and the powerful and efficient drive system all set standards while delivering maximum functionality and safety. In the shape of the new Sprinter LGT, Mercedes-Benz is adding a further variant of drive system to the range. The LPG drive system – a BlueEFFICIENCY technology – will quickly pay for itself given appropriate operating conditions due to the comparatively low cost of liquefied petroleum gas.

The gas tank on the Sprinter LGT is mounted at the tail end under the load compartment floor and holds 76 litres of liquefied petroleum gas. This volume gives the vehicle a range of some 500 km. Because the vehicle has a bi-fuel drive system, it can also carry 100 litres of petrol to increase its range. Like the Sprinter NGT, the engine on the Sprinter LGT generates 115 kW (156 hp) with maximum torque of 240 Nm. The van complies with the Euro 5 emissions standard. The Sprinter LGT is available in numerous versions: panel van, crewbus, chassis with cab, crew cab – all with either a 3665 or 4325 mm wheelbase. The gross vehicle weight is 3.5 t.

At the same time, Mercedes-Benz is extending the number of variants of the Sprinter NGT with its natural gas drive across the board. New additions are the Sprinter NGT in a crew (double) cab version and the Sprinter NGT crewbus featuring a mono-fuel natural gas drive system. The Sprinter NGT is now also available as a panel van with a gross vehicle weight of 3.88 t, as well as chassis of 3.5 and 4.25 t. All mono-fuel Sprinter NGT vehicles meet the strictest voluntary EEV emissions standard.

ECO start/stop function now even more effective

The updated version of the ECO start/stop function boosts the potential of four-cylinder diesel engines (which are already highly economical) even further. The package of measures under the BlueEFFICIENCY label now extends to tyres whose rolling resistance has been optimised. A stabilised battery charge prevents the radio, tachograph and navigation system from temporarily going off when starting the vehicle. In urban stop-and-go traffic, the ECO start/stop function saves up to 8% on fuel. To maximise potential savings, this function is now activated automatically on starting the engine.

A new optional extra on the Sprinter has been specially designed with fleets in mind: the FleetBoard telematics system, previously obtainable for retrofitting, is now available ex factory. FleetBoard has been demonstrated to significantly optimise commercial vehicle economy and has proven invaluable for numerous fleets of heavy duty vehicles across Europe. Training facilitates successful use of FleetBoard.

Going into the new model year, all Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans have a revised cockpit with new control buttons enhancing the interior of the Sprinter further.

Vario: this resilient classic goes from strength to strength

The success story continues: with more than 60 variants ex factory, a rugged frame construction, economical and reliable BlueTEC engines featuring SCR technology, gross vehicle weights of up to 7.5 t, high payloads and a cargo volume of up to 17.4 m³. Thanks to its unique selling points, the Mercedes-Benz Vario has a solid fan base. For the 2011 model year, no changes have been made on the technology side to this large-capacity van with its trademark short nose. However, it will be the only vehicle in its class that will continue to meet mandatory emissions standards into 2013 and beyond without modification.